As a free country, the United States is far from it. In regard to equality and justice, the LGBT community has not seen much of it. In Obergefell v. Hodges on June 2015, a federal judge ruled that same-sex marriage was a right in the Constitution (Liptak). This was vital for LGBT couples waiting to adopt that were denied due to policies that required couples to be married. Many conservative states fired back by implementing stricter laws allowing private organizations to discriminate against same-sex couples from adopting. People often quote the first amendment of the Constitution as it gives them freedom of religion, but regardless, it does not allow someone to be discriminatory against someone with different views. The U.S. needs a federal reform that will not only form new families, protect children, and support LGBT parents but also aid the overcrowding foster system.
Adoption is a long, tedious, but rewarding experience that many LGBT parents experience and can be explained as the process or act of making a child/adult legally part of a family other than their biological parents. The history of adoption has been weakly documented, but according to a Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare by Michelle Kahan, adoption used to be used as a way to control children from families who were considered poor. Although it began increasing after the World War II era, it began decreasing when birth control became available (par 2 and 7). Every child since is promised a second chance at a better life in a safe home and a family of their own. These are often empty promises, as statistics have proven. With more than 20% of 115,000 children in the foster system aging out of the foster care system and becoming instantly homeless, it is nonetheless a huge issue the U.S. government neglects (51 Useful Aging Out…).
As a child, imagine you didn’t have a roof over your head, a parent to kiss your bruises, teach you to ride a bike, or simply love you and imagine having to grow up in the foster system. Children in the foster care system spend an average of two years before being reunited with their existing family or being adopted, but thousands of others can go through their entire childhood in the system. Kids like 15-year-old Davion Only just want a family who, regardless of race, religion, or sex, will love them (Punnett and Rosenberg par. 1). Like Davion, millions wish to be adopted as it is their only lifeline, and many fear aging out of the system without any resources. Yet, LGBT parents are being turned down in several states because of their sexuality, even when there is a desperate need for children like Davion to be adopted.
While they await their lifeline, many children are treated unfairly. Lgbtmap.org confirmed that 10 states, including Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, allow state-licensed welfare agencies from placing or providing services to LGBT families and children if it goes against their religious beliefs. Tenaja Jordan is an example of situations LGBT people go through. Jordan entered the foster system at the age of 16 after coming out to her parents resulting in being kicked out. She feared being placed with a homophobic guardian and made her social worker aware of that, yet that was indeed what happened (Dupere par. 1-4). The fear she and everyone else who has gone through a similar situation is unimaginable.
In another case, a girl referred to as Inga had hope of one day being adopted. Her prayers came true and was adopted by Priscilla and Neal Whatcott. Less than a year later, her dream was shattered. She was rehomed in an underground network similar to the black market. In a span of 6 months, she had been in 3 different homes and ended up in Michigan – states away from the Whatcotts (Jordan). Children in the foster system would greatly benefit from being fostered/adopted by LGBT parents as they have proven to be more stable and accepting, as well as raise their children to be more sympathetic and to believe in equality for all (lifelongadoptions.com). Children also deserve foster or adoptive parents who are well-trained and prepared to raise difficult children to avoid such things.
California has pathed the way for many states in the matter of LGBT rights and has supported LGBT families for some time now. California allows LGBT parents to jointly petition to adopt as well as adopt if single. Although California is a great example of what many states should be following – they don’t. In the famous 1993 Virginia case of Sharon Bottoms, her 2-year-old son was stripped away from her because of her sexual orientation. Not only do some states prevent LGBT people from adopting, but they also prevent them from raising their own children. The Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court ruled that Bottom’s sexuality was immoral and illegal at the time, making her an unfit parent (Outhistory.org). Texas is another example of a state that continues to target the LGBT community. Bill HB 3859 is similar to Oklahoma’s bill as it directly targets the community by allowing them to deny applications based on sexual orientation, marital status, religion, and race (Weill). That is to say that at the end of the day, these agencies do not consider the amazing home these children need and can have but instead put their personal beliefs above them. Many call Texas’ bill a victory for freedom of religion, but it is, in fact, hurting thousands of children and families.
(Opposing View 1) Still, many believe that it is not in the child’s best interest to be adopted by LGBT parents. A judge in Barren and Metcalfe counties refuses to hear adoption cases with LGBT parties (Wolfson par. 1). Judge W. Mitchell Nance calls his decision a matter of consciousness. As mentioned, the Constitution gives us the people freedom of religion. This is a matter of when your freedom of religion is taking away someone’s freedom – violating the Constitution. However, children benefit tremendously regardless of their prospective parent’s religion, race, or sex, as that does not determine if they will be great parents. Lifelongadoptions.com is an advocate for LGBT adoptions and has done numerous studies and observations on children who are raised by LGBT parents and see no negative connection but rather many benefits not only in their development but their overall upbringing.
In a country that regularly brags about equality, justice for all, and freedom – they are far from it. The U.S. government has failed to implement stronger laws nationwide to protect children in the foster system and potential LGBT parents. They still do continue to discriminate against the LGBT community in many other aspects other than adoption, but there are thousands and millions out there standing upfor the children, for LGBT parents, and for the LGBT community all around. By implementing a new law, we can see that both parties will benefit in forming new families, protecting children, supporting LGBT parents, and also aiding the overcrowding foster system.
